Govt To Re-table Toll Plan At Legco: Sources

Sources said on Thursday that the government will soon put a non-binding motion on a plan to adjust tolls at the three cross-harbour tunnels before the Legislative Council, having recently shelved the proposal because of opposition from lawmakers across the political spectrum.

The government had wanted to raise tolls for private cars at the Cross Harbour Tunnel and the Eastern Harbour Crossing to go up to HK$40, while lowering the fee at the Western Harbour Crossing to HK$50, in a bid to even out traffic between the tunnels and cut congestion.

Currently, cars are charged HK$20 at the Cross Harbour Tunnel, HK$25 at the Eastern Harbor Crossing, and HK$70 at the Western Harbor Crossing.

But lawmakers were unhappy at the proposed toll levels, which forced the government to shelve a Legco motion at the last minute about a month ago.

Back then, Transport Secretary Frank Chan said officials would continue to lobby lawmakers to shore up support.

However, it’s understood that the latest proposal will maintain the original suggested toll adjustments.

But sources say the government will try to improve the offer, by undertaking to use the extra income from the raised fees to improve road safety, and to conduct a comprehensive review on how to better manage traffic between the three tunnels after the franchise of the Western Harbour Crossing expires in 2023.

Sources also quoted Chan as saying the government is not "one-hundred percent" sure the motion will pass, but that he felt the government should nonetheless table it as soon as possible.

Chan is expected to make a formal announcement on Friday.

Lawmakers gave the news a lukewarm response.

The Democratic Party’s Lam Cheuk-ting said the proposed increases for the Cross Harbour Tunnel and the Eastern Harbour Crossing are too high, and if nothing changes, the party will oppose it.

Council Front legislator Au Nok-hin said the additional measures won’t win him over either, saying it’s the government’s obligation to improve road safety anyway.

The pro-government DAB party also said it finds it difficult to support the new proposal if the suggested fees stay the same.

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